Karin Knorr: Misconduct over State of Jefferson

I am a business owner in Northern California and represent four major commercial property owners in Shasta County. The property taxes that we pay cover's all of the Shasta County Board's salaries, without mentioning the hundreds of thousands in sales taxes generated in this county by commercial tenants that we brought to the county. They have failed their constituents and their actions at the Board of Supervisors meeting on June 24 reek of misconduct.

Their handling of the State of Jefferson discussion is extremely suspicious. They obviously planned the rushed vote ahead of time based on the prepared closing statements and based on their refusal to review the financials presented before the meeting.

This was the worst example of a pre-determined outcome I have witnessed, and they may all be investigated for violating the Brown Act in the pre-planning of this meeting. They rushed the item onto the agenda prematurely, just to get it out the way, and they know it.

The Board completely ignored Bill Schappell's motion to table the discussion until they could properly review the documentation presented, which is how the more respectable Butte County Supervisors voted. This is a technicality that will not be ignored.

Mr. Moty, stated that Jefferson's proposed budget would cut 40 percent from teachers' salaries, which is erroneous and unsubstantiated. Had they taken the time to review the financials, they would see that the actual budget numbers were used and respected and that the northern counties are still viable on their own. They simply chose to ignore the facts presented, because they planned the outcome.

Mr. Kehoe's inclusion of a future gag order in the motion to reject the declaration is tyrannical and does not properly represent the needs of the constituents. Ms. Giacomini's comment about going to Sacramento to fight for our rights was simply laughable. They do not think that Shasta County residents deserve better representation in their government and they should all be ashamed.

We understand that we still have work to do in Shasta County and the rest of the State of Jefferson. We ask that they revoke the second part of the decision to disallow any further discussion of the issue.

It is our intention to take this decision to the people when the time is right, as we are confident their decision was premature. They have just alienated half of the Shasta County constituents, very possibly more than half, as was proven in Tehama County.